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CITY

Lake Wales

Florida · 18,650 residents (2025 est.) · 18.977 sq mi
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The short version

Lake Wales has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $56,347. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 65% since 2000. 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $239,300. The poverty rate of 22.4% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 42.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 92%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
16,785
+65%since 2000
from 10,194 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
884 / sq mi
+65%since 2000
from 537 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
42.7
+16%since 2000
from 36.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:18,650 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
9K11K13K15K17K1990201020202024Lake Wales
202417K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$56,347
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,884 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,384
+76%since 2000
from $16,106 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
36.9%
+22.6 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
22.4%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 21.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.455
+6%since 2010
from 0.430 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information13.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance10.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Retail trade10.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Professional, scientific, technical9.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade6.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services5.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing2.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$239,300
+92%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $68,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,110
+53%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $398 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
59.2%
+5.8 ptssince 2000
from 53.4% in 2000
40.8% rent
Vacancy rate
15.8%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 19.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
25.7%
−4.8 ptssince 2009
from 30.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
59.7%
+7.7 ptssince 2009
from 52.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.2
+67%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
49
RELATED:See current rent listings in Lake Wales on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic53.8%(5,484)
Black34.3%(3,492)
Hispanic / Latino9.9%(1,014)
Asian0.5%(51)
Other0%
Diversity Score71.3%(7,270)
2024
White, non-Hispanic44.3%(7,436)
Black21.8%(3,652)
Hispanic / Latino30.8%(5,178)
Asian1.1%(186)
Other2%(333)
Diversity Score82.6%(13,863)
Diversity Score
83
+16%since 2000
from 71 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.8%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 18.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
87.5%
+14.4 ptssince 2000
from 73.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.6%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 6.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.9 min
+36%since 2000
from 17.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
74.4%
−6.1 ptssince 2009
from 80.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.4%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.7%
+6.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.6%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
9.9%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 6.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.9%
−8.9 ptssince 2011
from 14.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
44.9%
−4.1 ptssince 2011
from 49.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
16.4%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 13.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
29.9%
−31.9 ptssince 2009
from 61.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.8%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 43.3% in 2009
Female
53.2%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 56.8% in 2009
Foreign born
10.4%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.2%
−36.2 ptssince 2009
from 43.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.8%
−1.0 ptssince 2012
from 17.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.6%
−74.4 ptssince 2013
from 83.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
85.6%
+18.6 ptssince 2017
from 67.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
74.2%
−7.9 ptssince 2016
from 82.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
22.7%
+5.7 ptssince 2016
from 17.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Lake Wales, Florida?

Lake Wales, Florida has about 16,785 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Lake Wales, Florida?

The typical household in Lake Wales, Florida earns about $56,347 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Lake Wales, Florida expensive?

In Lake Wales, Florida, the median home is worth about $239,300, and the typical rent is about $1,110 a month.

How educated are people in Lake Wales, Florida?

About 20.8% of adults age 25 and over in Lake Wales, Florida hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Lake Wales, Florida?

About 22.4% of people in Lake Wales, Florida live below the federal poverty line.

Has Lake Wales, Florida grown since 1990?

Yes, Lake Wales, Florida has grown since 1990. The population has added about 7,115 residents, a change of about 74 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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